FRANCE: Avian Flu restrictions on pigeon racing

[Guest mytton6]

just recived this email from pipa Belgium

Due to a case of avian influenza in Germany, France has taken measure regarding Poultry and pigeon races. As Belgium, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, etc...use France a lot to organise their races, any decision taken by France regarding the pigeon sport can be crucial for the continuity of the current racing season.

 

According to a press communiqué from the french Ministery ( of 24th of June - yesterday ) which you can read here ( in French )

http://www.agriculture.gouv.fr/spip/leministere.leministrelecabinet.communiquesdepresse_a7106.html

it is forbidden now to race pigeons over certain departements* in France.

[Guest mytton6]

The European Commission announced the discovery in the Land of Bavaria (southern of Germany) of two swans contaminated by the highly pathogenic aviary influenza (virus H5N1). In accordance with the device of prevention and monitoring established in France by the decree of February 5, 2007, the description of the contamination of the wild avifauna in a country close to France leads Michel Barnier, Ministre for Agriculture and Fishing, to pass from the level of negligible risk "2" on the level of "moderate" risk.

In complement of existing measurements of biosecurity, the passage on this level of higher risk induced the setting in?uvre, by the holders of poultries and birds of approval of the ecological zones at the particular risk (1), of the following additional provisions: - the birds must be confined or protected by nets, or alternative measurements of biosecurity; - the gatherings of birds and the competitions of pigeons, at the beginning or flying over these zones, are prohibited; - the birds held in these zones cannot take part in gatherings organized on the remainder of the territory

These provisions constitute a reinforcement of measurements of precaution and monitoring. No aviary case of influenza with virus H5N1 was noted on the own territory in 2007. Chart of the ecological zones at the particular risk listed with appendix 5 of the decree of February 5, 2007